coagulopatías

Coagulopathies are a group of medical disorders that affect the body's ability to control blood clotting. In a healthy individual, when a blood vessel is injured, a complex cascade of proteins known as clotting factors is activated, leading to the formation of a clot that stops bleeding. In people with coagulopathies, this process is either impaired or overactive, resulting in either excessive bleeding or the formation of dangerous blood clots.

There are two main categories of coagulopathies: inherited and acquired. Inherited coagulopathies are caused by genetic mutations that affect the production or function of specific clotting factors. Examples include hemophilia A and B, von Willebrand disease, and factor deficiencies. Acquired coagulopathies develop later in life due to other medical conditions or treatments. These can include liver disease, vitamin K deficiency, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), and anticoagulant medication use.

Symptoms of coagulopathies vary depending on the specific disorder and its severity. Common signs of bleeding disorders include easy bruising, prolonged bleeding from cuts, nosebleeds, bleeding gums, and heavy menstrual periods. In more severe cases, spontaneous bleeding into joints or internal organs can occur, leading to pain and potential organ damage. Conversely, disorders that promote excessive clotting, known as thrombophilias, can lead to deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), stroke, or heart attack.

Diagnosis typically involves a thorough medical history, physical examination, and laboratory tests such as prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), platelet count, and specific clotting factor assays. Treatment strategies are tailored to the underlying cause and can include replacement therapy with clotting factors, medications to promote clotting, anticoagulants to prevent excessive clot formation, and management of the underlying condition.